No link between MMR and autism
There is no evidence of a link between the MMR vaccine and autism, according to a new study.
Posted: 5 February 2008
The report comes 10 years after the original article by Dr Wakefield called into question the safety of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.
Manchester University researchers joined experts from London's Guys Hospital and the Health Protection Agency to carry out the most comprehensive study on the subject so far.
Experts looked at the measles virus and antibody levels in children.
They linked careful assessment and diagnosis of a child's condition, with analysis of blood samples by laboratories recognised as world leading by the World Health Organisation.
The study found that there was no difference between the results from autistic and non-autistic children.
The study, published yesterday in the Archive of Diseases of Childhood, was welcomed by the Department of Health.
Director of immunisation, Prof David Salisbury, said: "It's natural for parents to worry about the health and well-being of their children and I hope that this study will reassure them that there is no evidence linking the MMR vaccine to autism."
So what do you think?
